Honestly, the Icare is a bit… much. Like, SO big. But the *vibe* is undeniable. That quilted leather, the slouchy shape, that YSL logo screaming “I have taste!” Even if it’s just whispering “I *almost* have taste but really just found a good deal,” the point stands. We all want that luxe look, right? Without, you know, selling a kidney.
So, what’s a girl/guy/non-binary fashion icon on a budget to do? Dupes, baby! And there are actually some surprisingly decent ones out there. Like, I saw one from H&M that was, like, a £28 quilted tote. £28! Okay, it’s not gonna be *exactly* the same luscious lambskin, probably more like… well, you get what you pay for, BUT! It gets the *essence*, you feel me? The shape is there, the quilting is there. You could even, like, buy a cheap metal YSL logo thingy off Etsy or something and slap it on. (Don’t tell YSL I said that. Oops.)
And it’s not just H&M. There are a TON of “inspired by” bags floating around. The trick is finding one that doesn’t look *too* cheap. That’s the fine line we’re walking here, folks. We want “expensive dupe,” not “dollar store disaster.”
I gotta be honest, some of these “dupes” are just… bad. Like, REALLY bad. The stitching is off, the leather looks like plastic, the whole thing just screams “I’m trying too hard!” But then you stumble across one that’s genuinely well-made and you’re like, “YES! This is the one!” It’s like finding a hidden treasure.
And honestly? Maybe a dupe is even BETTER than the real thing. Think about it. You’re not terrified of scratching it, you can actually USE it without having a panic attack every time you set it down. Plus, you have more money left over for, you know, actual life stuff. Like rent. And tacos. Priorities, people!
